It is very useful to evaluate the content and 3D distribution of extracellular matrix non-destructively in tissue engineering. This study evaluated the feasibility of using micro-computed tomography (µCT) with Hexabrix to measure quantitatively sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) of engineered cartilage. Rabbit chondrocytes at passage 2 were used to produce artificial cartilages in polyglycolic acid scaffolds in vitro. Engineered cartilages were incubated with Hexabrix 320 for 20 min and analyzed via µCT scanning. The number of voxels in the 2D and 3D scanning images were counted to estimate the amount of sulfated GAGs. The optimal threshold value for quantification was determined by regression analysis. The 2D µCT images of an engineered cartilage showed positive correlation with the histological image of Safranin-O staining. Quantitative data obtained with the 3D µCT images of 14 engineered cartilages showed strong correlation with sulfated GAGs contents obtained by biochemical analysis (R² = 0.883, p < 0.001). Repeated exposure of engineered cartilages to Hexabrix 320 and µCT scanning did not significantly affect cell viability, total DNA content, or the total content of sulfated GAGs. We conclude that µCT imaging using Hexabrix 320 provides high spatial resolution and sensitivity to assess the content and 3D distribution of sulfated GAGs in engineered cartilages. It is expected to be a valuable tool to evaluate the quality of engineered cartilage for commercial development in the future.
Cartilage* ; Cell Survival ; Chondrocytes ; DNA ; Extracellular Matrix ; Glycosaminoglycans* ; In Vitro Techniques ; Ioxaglic Acid ; Polyglycolic Acid ; Tissue Engineering

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The pathological findings of Non-Q wave myocardial infarction(NQMI) on ECG did not always correspond to subendocardial infarction(SEMI). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic validity of ECG for SEMI by myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) in the patients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population was 84 patients who underwent MCE under the diagnosis of AMI. MCE was performed by intracoronary injection of sonicated Hexabrix into the infarct related artery and SEMI was diagnosed by inspecting endocardial defect with epicardial enhancement on MCE. RESULTS: (1) Among 19 NQMI cases, 7 cases showed SEMI with MCE score 0.5, 11 cases with score 1, and 1 case with score 0. Among 65 Q-wave MI(QMI) cases, only 5 cases showed SEMI. (2) 7 cases who had NQMI with SEMI showed LV wall motion recovery at follow-up echocardiography except 1 case. Whereas, of 5 QMI cases who had SEMI, only 1 case improve LV wall motion. CONCLUSION: NQMI on ECG does not always imply SEMI on MCE, but the absence of pathologic Q wave in the patients with SEMI is thought to be a predictive factor of the recovery of LV wall motion.
Arteries ; Diagnosis ; Echocardiography* ; Electrocardiography* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infarction* ; Ioxaglic Acid

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The pathological findings of Non-Q wave myocardial infarction(NQMI) on ECG did not always correspond to subendocardial infarction(SEMI). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic validity of ECG for SEMI by myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) in the patients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population was 84 patients who underwent MCE under the diagnosis of AMI. MCE was performed by intracoronary injection of sonicated Hexabrix into the infarct related artery and SEMI was diagnosed by inspecting endocardial defect with epicardial enhancement on MCE. RESULTS: (1) Among 19 NQMI cases, 7 cases showed SEMI with MCE score 0.5, 11 cases with score 1, and 1 case with score 0. Among 65 Q-wave MI(QMI) cases, only 5 cases showed SEMI. (2) 7 cases who had NQMI with SEMI showed LV wall motion recovery at follow-up echocardiography except 1 case. Whereas, of 5 QMI cases who had SEMI, only 1 case improve LV wall motion. CONCLUSION: NQMI on ECG does not always imply SEMI on MCE, but the absence of pathologic Q wave in the patients with SEMI is thought to be a predictive factor of the recovery of LV wall motion.
Arteries ; Diagnosis ; Echocardiography* ; Electrocardiography* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infarction* ; Ioxaglic Acid

BACKGROUND: During coronary angiography, some electrocardiographic changes occured due to contrast media, which do life threatening influences. METHODS: We compared the electrocardiographic changes which were induced by injection of three radiopaque contrast media during selective coronary angiography in 49 patients with chest pain. One of the contrast media was high osmolar ionic(Urografin_76) and the another was low osmolar ionic(Hexabrix) and the last was non-ionic(Ioversol). Electrocardiograms were obtained before, during and after selective coronary angiography. RESULTS: The changes of S-T segment or T were decreased in non-ionic group rather than high osmolar or ionic group. And there was significant Q-Tc interval prolongation among all three groups except comparision of low osmolar ionic contrast dye and non-ionic contrast dye in left coronary angiography. CONCLUSION: Non-ionic low osmolar contrast media was safer than high osmolar or ionic contrast medial because of lesser change of Q-Tc interval during selective coronary angiography.
Chest Pain ; Contrast Media* ; Coronary Angiography* ; Diatrizoate Meglumine ; Electrocardiography* ; Humans ; Ioxaglic Acid ; Osmolar Concentration

PURPOSE: To determine which contrast media are both efficient and safe for the imaging of airways. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated five contrast media (barium, gastrografin, iotrolan, ioxaglate, iopentol) in terms of image quality and their effects on the lungs of 25 white rabbits. For bronchography 0.5ml of contrast media was used. In each contrast group, HRCT scans were obtained immediately (n=5), 12 hours (n=4), 1 day (n=3), 2 days (n=2), and 1 week (n=1) after bronchography. Histopathologic specimens were obtained immediately, 12 hours, 1 day, 2 days, and 1 week later. Bronchograms were evaluated for image quality by three radiologists working independently, and were scored as 1(poor), 2(moderate), or 3(good) in terms of contrast quality and bronchial coating. HRCT was evaluated by two radiologists who reached a concensus; they determined the presence of contrast media, and then the pattern and extent of pulmonary opacity, and any related changes. Histopatholgic specimens were evaluated by two pathologists who sought consensus as to the extent of inflammation, pulmonary edema, and hemorrhage, and any changes in these aspects. RESULTS: Bronchography indicated that the sum of scores for contrast quality was 45 for barium, 33 for gastrografin, 28 for iotrolan, 30 for ioxaglate, and 28 for iopentol, while for each of these media, the sum of scores for bronchial coating was 39, 19, 25, 23, and 21, respectively. Barium showed the best image quality. In all rabbits, HRCT demonstrated the variable extent of groundglass attenuation and/or consolidation. Lesions were most extensive at 1-2 days and then regressed at 1 week; these HRCT findings correlated well with histologic findings. In histologic studies of all five contrast media groups, variable severe inflammatory reactions were observed, with or without necrosis, congestion, edema, and hemorrhage. It was noted that ioxaglate appeared to cause least tissue reaction. CONCLUSIONS: The imaging results of this experimental study indicate that for bronchography, barium is the best available contrast media, On the basis of the histologic and HRCT results, however, ioxaglate is the best.
Barium ; Bronchography* ; Consensus ; Contrast Media* ; Diatrizoate Meglumine ; Edema ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) ; Hemorrhage ; Ioxaglic Acid ; Lung ; Necrosis ; Pneumonia ; Rabbits

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We investigated the effects of commonly used contrast media (CM) on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in isolated rat hearts. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Isolated rat hearts were subjected to 30 minutes of regional ischemia and 2 hours of reperfusion. The following CM (1 mL/1 L Krebs-Henseleit buffer) were randomly perfused for 15 minutes beginning 5 minutes before reperfusion and ending 10 minutes after reperfusion: iohexol (n=8), iopromide (n=8), ioversol (n=8), iomeprol (n=8), iopamidol (n=7), ioxaglate (n=8), and iodixanol (n=7). The effects of a direct bolus injection of undiluted iohexol, iopromide, or ioxaglate (each n=6) via the aortic root immediately prior to reperfusion were also evaluated. The area of necrosis, expressed as the percentage of the area at risk (AN/AR), and cardiodynamic variables were measured. RESULTS: The AN/AR of the control and experimental groups in the order described in methods was 33.7+/-6.4%, 30.3+/-7.4%, 34.7+/-12.6%, 29.2+/-10.2%, 20.9+/-7.6%, 22.6+/-8.7%, 18.8+/-7.9%, and 19.9+/-11.4%, respectively. Groups that received iomeprol and ioxaglate exhibited significantly decreased AN/AR values compared to those of control hearts (p=0.042 and p=0.013). No significant differences in the AN/AR were observed between control hearts and the groups injected with a single bolus of CM. No significant hemodynamic changes were noted after reperfusion among the groups. CONCLUSION: The overall effects of the CM on coronary reperfusion were not deleterious, and better effects were noted in two CM groups. However, it is unclear whether this result was attributed to a specific physiochemical property of the CM.
Animals ; Contrast Media* ; Heart* ; Hemodynamics ; Iohexol ; Iopamidol ; Ioxaglic Acid ; Ischemia ; Myocardial Infarction ; Myocardial Reperfusion ; Necrosis ; Rats* ; Reperfusion ; Reperfusion Injury*

BACKGROUND: A collateral flow can be assessed and graded by coronary angiography, however, the technique does not provide any information about perfusion. Myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) can assess collateral perfusion and has superior spatial resolution in defining its distribution. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the difference of transmural perfusion according to the angiographical collateral grade in normal myocardium, we performed MCE of collateral artery in 16 patients (m : f = 11 : 5, age: 57+/-13yrs.) with angina and compared the results with the angiographical grades. METHODS: In six patients with preexisting collaterals on baseline angiography, we performed MCE after intracoronary injection of sonicated Hexabrix. For 10 patients without preexisting collaterals on baseline angiography, we performed angiography, MCE for recruited collateral arteries during balloon inflation of stenotic coronary arteries (2 times for 120sec.). For 12 patients who underwent PTCA, we performed pressure wire simultaneously with angiography and MCE for recruited collateral arteries during balloon inflation. Fractional collateral flow(FCF) was defined by the ratio of coronary wedge pressure to proximal pressure(Pw/Pa). Angiographical collaterals were graded according to 'Rentrop' criteria(grade 0-3). Transmural thickness (TMT) and enhanced myocardial thickness (EMT) of an enhanced segment on MCE were measured at diastolic phase. The depth of collateral perfusion was estimated by collateral perfusion index (CPI) that was the ratio of EMT to TMT. RESULTS: There were significant differences of CPI with respect to angiographical grades according to one way ANOVA test (p< 0.05). One of five patients who had no recruited collaterals showed partial enhancement confined to the epicardium with CPI of 0.24. There was significant correlation between the angiographical grade and the CPI with Spearman's Rho value of 0.93(p< 0.0001). The angiographical grades were significantly correlated with FCF with the Spearman's Rho value of 0.87(p=0.0002). There was also significant correlation between FCF and CPI with Pearson's r=0.81 (p=0.0016). CONCLUSION: The higher the angiographical collateral grade is, the higher the collateral pressure and the deeper the fractional transmural perfusion from epicardium into endocardium gets.
Angiography ; Arteries ; Coronary Angiography* ; Coronary Vessels ; Echocardiography* ; Endocardium ; Humans ; Inflation, Economic ; Ioxaglic Acid ; Myocardium ; Perfusion* ; Pericardium ; Pulmonary Wedge Pressure

BACKGROUND: It is well known that collateral circulation has important roles in ischemic heart diseases. The method most commonly used at present to evaluate collateral flow is coronary angiography. However, there are debates about the functional significance of angiographically visible collaterals because angiography visualizes only vessels that are larger than 100um in diameter. Recent studies suggest that myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) is a useful method in assessing collateral flow because it uses small microvascular tracers (4-12um) as a contrast agent. By using MCE, this study evaluates the role of angiographically visible collaterals in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and chronic ischemic heart disease. METHOD: Forty-one patients who underwent coronary angiography and MCE were included in this study (22 patients with acute myocardial infarction and 19 patients with chronic ischemic heart disease). Antegrade coronary flow was less than TIMI 3 flow in all patients. Myocardial perfusion through collaterals with MCE was evaluated by injecting sonicated Hexabrix into nonobstructing coronary arteries. Angiographically visualized collateral vessels were analysed as four grades and compared with the degree of myocardial opacification by MCE through collateral vessels. RESULT: Angiographic collaterals were frequently observed in patients with AMI and chronic ischemic heart disease with< or = TIMI 2 flow . There was poor correlation between TIMI grade and the grade of collaterals by angiography in AMI (r--0.29, p-0.20) and chronic ischemic heart disease (r--0.31, p-0.19). There was no correlation between collateral grades and myocardial opacification by MCE through collateral vessels in AMI (r-0.07, p-NS) and chronic ischemic heart disease (r-0.10, p-NS). In patients with relatively well developed collaterals (Grade II or III), the ischemic zone was perfused better through collateral flow in the chronic ischemic heart disease group than in the AMI group (Mean Retrograde Opacification Index 0.84+/-0.23 vs 0.32+/-0.22, p<0A65A>0.05). CONCLUSION: The study suggests that the role of angiographically visible collaterals is different in chronic ischemic heart disease and acute myocardial infarction. The grade of angiographically visible collaterals does not imply the extent of perfusion to myocardum at risk through collateral vessels.
Angiography ; Collateral Circulation ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Vessels ; Echocardiography ; Heart ; Humans ; Ioxaglic Acid ; Myocardial Infarction ; Myocardial Ischemia* ; Perfusion*

BACKGROUND: As lack of myocardial perfusion was demonstrated on myocardial contrast echocardiography(MCE) despite angiographic documentation of reflow, patency of infarct related artery (IRA) after acute myocardial infarction(AMI) does not guarantee myocardial tissue perfusion. Myocardial enhancement on MCE is associated with myocardial perfusion and microvascular integrity. We are to assess myocardial perfusion immediately after thrombolysis and to correlate myocardial enhancement with functional recovery of postischemic dysfunctional myocardium. METHODS: MCE was performed by intracoronary injection of hand-agitated Ioxaglate in 17 consecutive AMI patients immediately after thrombolysis. Myocardial enhancement of 37 infarct segment was quantified as corrected peak videointensity(PI) by videodensitometry and the PI ratio of infarct to normal segments was used to assess myocardial reperfusion. Viable myocardium was defined as the presence of functional recovery on follow-up echocardiography. RESULTS: 1) MCE was performed in 37 segments of 17 AMI patient and functional recovery was noted in 28 segments of 12 patients on follow-up echocardiography. 2) Six infarct segments with no reflow on MCE showed severe fixed perfusion defect in thallium scan and no functional recovery in follow-up echocardiography. 3) The peak cardiac enzyme level was significantly higher in patients without functional recovery(p<0.005), but mean PI ratio(p<0.005) and patency of IRA(p<0.05) were significantly higher in patient with functional recovery. Age, sex, time to thrombolysis and stenosis of IRA were not associated with functional recovery. 4) Apical segment(p<0.01), TIMI grade 2 patency(p<0.01) and LAD territory(p<0.05) were significantly associated with nonviable myocardium, and PI ratio(p<0.001) was significantly correlated to viable myocardium. The PI ratio was the most significant predictor of myocardial functional recovery on multiple logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Myocardial contrast echocardiography immediately after thrombolysis can be used for assessment of myocardial reperfusion, decision of revascularization and prediction of functional recovery.
Arteries ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Echocardiography* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Ioxaglic Acid ; Logistic Models ; Myocardial Reperfusion* ; Myocardium* ; Perfusion ; Thallium

BACKGROUND: As lack of myocardial perfusion was demonstrated on myocardial contrast echocardiography(MCE) despite angiographic documentation of reflow, patency of infarct related artery (IRA) after acute myocardial infarction(AMI) does not guarantee myocardial tissue perfusion. Myocardial enhancement on MCE is associated with myocardial perfusion and microvascular integrity. We are to assess myocardial perfusion immediately after thrombolysis and to correlate myocardial enhancement with functional recovery of postischemic dysfunctional myocardium. METHODS: MCE was performed by intracoronary injection of hand-agitated Ioxaglate in 17 consecutive AMI patients immediately after thrombolysis. Myocardial enhancement of 37 infarct segment was quantified as corrected peak videointensity(PI) by videodensitometry and the PI ratio of infarct to normal segments was used to assess myocardial reperfusion. Viable myocardium was defined as the presence of functional recovery on follow-up echocardiography. RESULTS: 1) MCE was performed in 37 segments of 17 AMI patient and functional recovery was noted in 28 segments of 12 patients on follow-up echocardiography. 2) Six infarct segments with no reflow on MCE showed severe fixed perfusion defect in thallium scan and no functional recovery in follow-up echocardiography. 3) The peak cardiac enzyme level was significantly higher in patients without functional recovery(p<0.005), but mean PI ratio(p<0.005) and patency of IRA(p<0.05) were significantly higher in patient with functional recovery. Age, sex, time to thrombolysis and stenosis of IRA were not associated with functional recovery. 4) Apical segment(p<0.01), TIMI grade 2 patency(p<0.01) and LAD territory(p<0.05) were significantly associated with nonviable myocardium, and PI ratio(p<0.001) was significantly correlated to viable myocardium. The PI ratio was the most significant predictor of myocardial functional recovery on multiple logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Myocardial contrast echocardiography immediately after thrombolysis can be used for assessment of myocardial reperfusion, decision of revascularization and prediction of functional recovery.
Arteries ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Echocardiography* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Ioxaglic Acid ; Logistic Models ; Myocardial Reperfusion* ; Myocardium* ; Perfusion ; Thallium